Jack Link's

Jack Link’s

With research and development labs visible to passersby, and a retail store in the newly renovated Target Center, the jerky giants lay claim to an exciting office destination in the heart of the city. The company moved 200 employees—Sasquatch included—to Mayo Clinic Square earlier this year. The 77,000-square-foot workplace features reclaimed wood, exposed ceilings, plenty of open space, and a taste of the Northwoods in downtown Minneapolis. Look out for its upcoming lounge and event space on Hennepin, created in partnership with Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Target Plaza Commons

Target Plaza Commons

The interior of the building features movable furniture, a 360-degree fireplace, and informal meeting spaces—maintaining a relaxed, collaborative working environment for employees. But the 20,000-square-foot outdoor area is the facility’s crown jewel. Lounge chairs, a grilling area, and a green space with lawn games and a basketball court offer boundless opportunities to soak up the sun. If the weather outside is frightful, the Commons’ state-of-the-art fitness center provides workout equipment, bike storage, exercise classes, and more.

Industrious, RBC Plaza

Industrious, RBC Plaza

Staying true to the co-sharing company’s focus on flexibility and collaboration, this space’s floor-to-ceiling windows and glass-encased conference rooms keep creativity flowing, and panoramic views from the 28th floor offer a 24-hour dose of wow. Huddle rooms, focus rooms, and wellness/mothers’ rooms help workers prioritize a balanced 9-to-5; fitness facilities and a rooftop deck encourage a healthy mix of work and play. With co-working spaces continuing to gain popularity, it’s a great way to grab a little desk space downtown.

CBRE, LaSalle Plaza

CBRE, LaSalle Plaza

Sustainability and flexibility define the culture at CBRE’s Workplace 360 offices. The workspace is completely paperless, filled with natural light, and built out of sustainable materials intended for higher air quality. Instead of assigned desks, employees choose where to work each day, with an emphasis on open space and meeting areas. And it all revolves around the Heart: The office’s main entry and social area, complete with café vibes and Minnesota-centric design, is the lifeline that ties CBRE’s entire operation together.

Pandora

Pandora

The original Internet radio provider’s third-floor office at the IDS Center has a local flavor that only adds to its music-loving feel. Mock-cabin architecture, a Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox mural by Adam Turman, and the “Purple Room”—guess who inspired that one—help Pandora’s offices stay Minnesota Nice. The central space, an open area designed for co-working and meetings, maintains an easygoing working atmosphere; themed conference rooms named after local musicians make for a workplace that hums with activity.

Runners-up:

Spacecrafting: For combining comfort and cool in its low-key North Loop office, complete with an in-house photo studio, plush couches, and art decorating the walls.

Code42: For equipping its downtown office with sophisticated features like collapsible conference room walls and an enormous all-purpose kitchen. An actual meatspace, if you will.

Be The Match: For taking employee mobility to the next level, with open workspaces, casual furniture, and plenty of sunshine.

Amazon: For staking out the top two floors in North Loop’s T3 building, the first-ever commercial structure to use all timber for its interior and exterior.